INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- The Kansas City Symphony is coping with the loss of a longtime performer, KMBC's Chris Nagus reported.

Tuesday, a relative found 51-year-old Steven Peters shot to death inside his duplex at 9806 E. Westport Road in Independence, officials said.

Peters played string base with the Kansas City Symphony for 22 years.

"When I got the call, I was shocked beyond words," said Frank Byrne, the symphony's executive director. "He was a very versatile, talented man ... He was one of the most quiet gentleman, friendly people you have ever met in your life."

Byrne said he's not sure how the symphony will cope with such a loss.

"I don't think a tragedy like this can ever be rationalized," Byrne said. "There is no easy answer to how we will do this ... We will miss him; we already do."

Police are searching for a teenager in connection with the case: 17-year-old Michael A. Jones. Officials described him as black, 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and a teardrop tattoo under his right eye.

Anyone who knows where Jones is or who has information in the case can contact the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477 or Independence police at (816) 325-7300.